Michael Owen reveals his preferred England line-up for this summer’s Euros and it included a surprise pick for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.
Debate over the Three Lions’ starting side for their opener against Serbia next month has been rife since Gareth Southgate confirmed his squad for their training camp.
Now, former England striker Owen has weighed in with his selection and there was no space for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in there.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: ‘So I go, Pickford in goal. Kyle Walker at right-back. Luke Shaw at left-back, if he’s fit. John Stones and Harry Maguire at centre-half.
‘Declan Rice as the six. Foden and Bellingham in-front of him. I’ve got to find a place for Cole Palmer.
‘I’d put Palmer as my right-sider. I’m going to put Anthony Gordon as my left-sider. And Harry Kane up front’.
That left no place for the Gunners forward, who many would expect to start for Southgate’s side in Germany.
The 22-year-old scored 16 goals and picked up nine assists in the Premier League for Arsenal, as they were narrowly pipped to the title by Manchester City.
Explaining the decision to exclude Saka, he said: ‘Throughout the tournament you could switch. You could bring Saka in on the right and put Palmer on the left if you have to.
‘I just have to find a place for Cole Palmer. I have to find a place for Phil Foden. And I really want pace on the left hand side’.
There has also been plenty of discussion over who should start in defence for England alongside Stones, to which Owen opted for Maguire.
However, there was no space for his Man United team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, who has continued to impress for the Three Lions this season.
There has been some debate as to whether Southgate’s squad lacks goalscorers, which was brought up on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast.
Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton questioned where England’s goals are going to come from given the absence of Marcus Rashford from the squad.
The Manchester United forward has paid the price for an underwhelming season at Old Trafford which yielded only seven goals in 33 league appearances.
Rashford has also struggled with injury and faced heavy criticism from the United fanbase.
Southgate, who has handed the 26-year-old 57 of his 60 international caps, revealed that the decision was a tough one but insisted Rashford’s omission was solely down to his performances on the pitch.
